the desire of praise and admiration; and on inspiring, in females in particular, the love of dress and finery teaching them (says the author,) to approve themselves neither by the laws of God nor conscience, but by the applause of a vain and foolish world!' We extract Miss H.'s admirable sentiment on the love of glory : The love of glory gives birth, it is true, to many splendid, and, it may sometimes chance, to useful actions. But if it be not regulated by principle, if the praise of man be all, and the approbation of GoD and conscience nothing, may it not frequently impel to actions that are highly criminal? False ideas of glory have made heroes the scourges of the human race. Hearts that were formed for benevolence have by the love of glory been hardened to the commission of deeds at which humanity revolts. Murder and devastation have been made the insignia of honour; and the vidow's and the orphan's tears have constituted the precious pearls that form the hero's wreath.' 6 Letter 14th, which concludes the first volume, gives a review of the principles of association adopted in this work; and the author declares that, convinced of the superiority of the Christian doctrines over every system of philosophy, she has invariably followed as her guide, in these letters on education, the precepts of the Gospel. This letter terminates with many just remarks on the dangerous tendency of instilling, into young minds, notions of family-pride and self-importance; with some observations on the choice of books for children, in which Miss H. and Miss Edgeworth do not entirely agree.At a future opportunity, we shall present our readers with a view of the second volume. ART. XIV. The Beauties of Wiltshire, displayed in Statistical, His- should should be possessed of undeviating perseverance,-His intellects should be unclouded, his talents pre-eminent, his acquirements universal. He should possess a knowlege of the languages, be familiar with the sciences, and acquainted intimately with history, agriculture, mineralogy, biography, and the belles lettres :-his judgment should be endowed with those comprehensive powers which result from the study and comparison of the opinions of every age, and of every nation." In order to select beauties, however, such perfection of attainments is not demanded; though a just taste, which is a qualification that comprises many others, is indispensable; and in this respect, the present author has not shewn himself deficient. The most prominent feature of this publication is its assemblage of views, which are beautiful, and generally executed with great delicacy. Indeed, in several of them, delicacy appears to have been too much studied. The author has quoted some lines from Mr. Knight's Poem on Landscape, designed to characterize an evening scene, which might be applied to some of the views in these volumes: Claude extends his prospects wide, O'er Rome's Campagnia to the Tyrrhene tide, And the soft distance, melting from the eye, This method of softening, when carried so far as to make the objects indistinct, is produced too much at the expence of information in a work of topographical description; and another effect, which it is likely to cause, is that of giving the idea of a watery atmosphere, which detracts from the beauty of the scene. In the preface, Mr. B. very handsomely acknowleges the obligations which have been conferred on him, by communica tions and assistance in the progress of his design. It is perhaps to be regretted that he was not satisfied with the performance of so graceful a duty, and that he did not refrain from the expression of his resentments. I have been hos noured,' he says, with many interesting communications relative to my native county; yet I cannot but reflect with indignation on those indelent, haughty, or ignorantly despicable beings, who refused me information to solicitous inquiry,-who treated my humble efforts with contumely, or silent scorn. They are as much beneath my serious attention in the wide. scale of public importance, as their arrogant notions might induce them to consider me in the vortex of their own abode." REV. AUG. 1802. We E. We are sorry that men who are engaged in laudable and in-. genious undertakings should meet with such disappointments: but they do not justify the strong language in which the author has here indulged his anger. The refusals of which he complains were not denials of any claim of right, and therefore are not to be received as injuries. Where the object solicited is merely matter of favour, the option of granting or withholding it is always to be esteemed perfect. The information conveyed in these volumes is of so miscellaneous a nature, (as may be supposed from the title,) that it is impossible for us to give an adequate idea of their contents; and it often relates to objects which have been so frequently described, that it is difficult to select what is perfectly novel. Sometimes the author writes in the character of a tourist, and he gives the usual accounts of villas, paintings, statues, &c. His language, when he does not aim at ornament or something higher, is easy, and his subjects are in general interesting. An extract from his description of Fonthill, the magnificent seat of Mr. Beckford, may entertain our readers, and exemplify his talents and his manner. Many of them will probably be able, also, to appreciate the justice of the account; because, since it was written, the splendid decorations of some of the apartments have been exposed to sale, and attracted great crowds of spectators: Fonthill is supposed to derive its name from font, a spring, or fountain, and bill: an etymology which peculiarly characterizes the place. It belonged, for several centuries, to the ancient family of the Mervins; from whom, through his maternal grandmother, its present possessor is lineally descended. There are two regular approaches to the house; one from Salisbury, through the village of Fonthill-Bishop, the other from the south, by Fonthill-Gifford. At the latter place is an inn, where the generality of company leave their carriages and horses while they visit the house. As the way to Fonthill is by the public road, Mr. Beckford has neglected to make any exclusive entrance to his place. I approached it from Salisbury; and on entering the grounds, passed under an arch, with lodges on either side, built after a design of Inigo Jones. From this spot, I beheld the north, or principal front of the house, which forms a grand façade, nearly four hundred feet in length. On the right, and immediately contiguous to the house, rises a knoll, or hill, whose sides and summit are thickly mantled with lofty groves, of ancient growth and luxuriant foliage. Behind the house, and apparently connected with this sidescreen, an undulating belt forms a kind of amphitheatric back ground, and leads the eye to a distant ridge of Salisbury plain, (which terminates the prospect eastward. On the left, a noble river, or . or lake*, expands its pellucid waters, and after passing the east wing of the house in a gentle curve, seems to lose itself among woody islands. The house is built with fine white freestone, obtained from quarries within half a mile of its scite, so that the stoical † builder was at little expence either for carriage or materials. The centre or body of the house is in the same grand style, and nearly in the same form as Houghton-Hall, in Norfolk. Two uniform square wings are connected with it, by light elliptical colonnades; supported in front by Doric pillars, with a characteristic frieze above the architrave. The basement story, which is rusticated, and thirteen feet six inches in height, contains an arched Egyptian Hall, eighty-five feet ten inches, by thirty-eight six inches; supported by immense piers of solid stone. Two large fire-places, and two stoves in the shape of urns, diffuse a comfortable warmth over this vast and solemn space. To the right we enter an anti-room; the chimney-piece, by Bacon, is most delicately sculptured, after a design by Wyatt. This room, which is also arched and characterized by an air of snugness and comfort, opens into a library, containing a rare and choice collection of English and classical books. Mr. Beckford has evinced an unwearied zeal in selecting, not only the best books, but the best editions of every book, and the most perfect copies of those editions. The bindings are superb. In the centre of the library stands a large Amber-cabinet, which displays every variety of this precious material, from the deepest orange to the palest yellow; many of the ornaments approach very nearly to red, others to green and white. This valuable curiosity, which is in high preservation, and absolutely without a flaw or blemish, belonged to the Queen of Bohemia, daughter of James the First. Her portrait, and that of her husband, are carved in white amber on one of the drawers, with great neatness and accuracy. Adjoining the library, is an apartment called the Turkish room, as splendid and sumptuous as those magical recesses of enchanted palaces we read of in the Arabian Nights En tertainments. The ground of the vaulted ceiling is entirely gold, upon which the most beautiful arabesques and wreathes of flowers are delineated, The words river and lake are often used indiscriminately. Most pieces of water in gentlemen's parks partake of the nature of both; being rivers, from having progressive motion, and lakes, because they generally spread beyond the original channels. The cha racteristical beauties of each are united at Fonthill.' + The old house was burnt down in the year 1755; when the late Mr. Beckford sustained a loss that was estimated at 30,cool, ; 60col. only of which was insured. When this accident happened, Mr. B. was in London; and on being informed of the event, he took out his pocket-book, and, with true philosophical composure, began to write. The messenger asked him what he was doing, "only calculating," he replied, the expence of rebuilding it." ་་ apart. in the vivid colours of nature, by the pencil of these distinguished French artists, Boileau and Feuglet. The whole room is hung round with ample curtains of the richest orange satin, with deep fringes of silk and gold. Between the folds of this drapery, mirrors of uncommon size appear as openings leading to other ments. The carpet, of a reddish etruscan brown, contrasts admirably with the tints of the hangings. The windows are screened by blinds of orange silk, admitting a warm glow of summer fight. Opposite to these pertures, an altar of the finest verde-antique contains the fire-place, secured by a grate-work of gilt bronze. On each side are two cabinets, of an elegant and novel form, sculptured and gilt in a very magnificent style. The upper pannels, painted by Smirke, are very inferior to the generality of this artist's productions; but the drawers, by Hamilton, in imitation of antique cameos, are designed with the utmost grace, and executed with spirit and correctness. Candelabra, vases of japan, cassolets, and piles of cushions, are distributed about the apartment, which combines more splendor, singularity, and effect, than any room of its size in the kingdom. The space is not large, not above twenty-six by twenty-three; but the whole is so managed, by the aid of mirrors, as to appear boundless, and to seize most powerfully upon the imagination. nor commo We now return to the Egyptian Hall. On the left are two apartments, the first, twenty-five by nineteen, the second, thirtyone by twenty-seven; much in the style of the terreno of an Italian palace. The ceilings white, enriched with gold, and tablets painted in chiaro oscuro, are designed by Wyatt, with much elegance; and the chimney-pieces, by Banks and Flaxman, merit notice. these rooms, we ascend by a stair-case, neither light From dious, to the Organ hall, so called from an instrument of extraor dinary dimensions built by a German of the name of Crang. This room, a cube of thirty-six feet, is paved with marble, and has an imposing air of grandeur, though the ornaments are in no good taste; the ceiling, painted by Cazali, is a proof of the wretched state of the arts about forty years ago. equally reprehensible. Leaving the hall, we pass into an anti-room The chimney-piece, by Moore, is covered with pictures. Mr. Beckford, who is an enthusiastic lover of the arts, and a Liberal patron of able artists, has ornamented his collection with many choice productions of the English school. This example deserves praise, and I hope will be followed by other opulent and distinguished personages in the country. We have many artists of great abilities; men, who combine genius, talent, and learning; auhose works are an honour to the kingdom, and deserving of every encouragement. Yet the performances of these persons are too often thrown aside through the artifices of imposing dealers, to make room for pieces of interior merit, and questionable originality. The extravagant prices that are often given for the productions of an old master, for no other reason, but because they are scarce, whilst the excellent paintings of an English artist, are suffered to crowd the walls of a broker's shop, instead of the gallery of a nobleman, cannot fail to excite the most sorrowful sensations in the man who wishes |